How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Outside, fireworks blossomed against the inky night sky. Elodie glanced up, watching the bursts of color fade before turning to see Rosemary and Emile nearby, capturing the moment on video.

She could feel the old woman's concern for her, warm and genuine.

If it weren't for her grandmother shielding her these past years, life in the Silverstein family would have been even harder.

"Grandma, we didn't argue," Elodie said softly. "You know how it is—Jarrod and I hardly ever fight."

Most of their issues simmered in silence.

After all, arguments require some spark of feeling. But all Jarrod had for her was cold indifference, maybe even contempt.

For a moment, her grandmother was at a loss for words.

She understood. Even the closest couples have their share of squabbles— especially after years of marriage. Weren't Jarrod and Elodie supposed to be the most important people in each other's lives by now?

Yet the way they lived... it was as if they were strangers, bound together only by obligation.

Elodie had tried everything to warm the ice between them, but nothing seemed to work.

Jarrod simply didn't care.

He treated her like a business associate polite, detached, and never personal.

Her grandmother seemed at a loss, finally letting out a sigh. "You're right. Your grandfather and the others are getting on in years. You should spend time with them-it's no big deal as long as you two didn't fight. Still, I'll have another talk with that stubborn boy. Don't worry, darling, I won't let him take you for granted!"

Elodie knew how much her grandmother worried over her marriage.

After a long pause, she finally replied, gently, "Grandma, it's all right. There's no need."

They were already divorced-there was no point in fixing what was broken.

this hint, it

relented, "All right... Just enjoy

"I will."

ending the call, Elodie let out

a few treats for her grandparents. Her grandmother had a sweet tooth, but her blood sugar was unpredictable-most of the hotel's desserts

hotel staff were

on a simple

baking, her

checked her messages-it was

Mom said you're not making desserts this

know I have

are

are you jealous or something? Fine, I'll call you 'sis-in-law' for once. Just don't

Elodie's expression didn't change.

her when she wanted something, and her tone was always imperious, as if doing

her antiques investments

had grown

was a time when Octavia had clung to

appeared, Octavia became dismissive and

childish vanity or plain rebellion, Elodie saw no reason to keep indulging her—especially after all the

Octavia's chat, and blocked

she locked her phone and went back

with three

moment's thought, she messaged Freya, asking

a doctor's contact, even though the doctor still hadn't replied. Still, Elodie preferred not to owe

spent a good while chatting about drones before heading back, satisfied with her

New Year's countdown on TV with Rosemary and

routine, she received a message from Esmeralda― plus

out on New Year's without seeing